Combination outdoor table and clothesline



April 22, 1952 E. s. HANNAME'YER COMBINATION OUTDOOR TABLE AND CLOTHESLINE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed May 24 1950 INVEN'ITOR Eiwam 5. fiazznameger ATTORNEYS April 22, 1952 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed May 24 1950 INVENTOR Elwood S. Hannameyer ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 22, 1952 r 2,594,158 OFFICE COMBINATION OUTDOOR TABLE AND CLOTHESLINE Elwood S. Hannameyer, Aptos, Calif.

Application May 24, 1950, Serial No. 163,932

6 Claims. 1

This invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide, a combination outdoor table and clothesline; a prime feature of the invention being the concealment in the table of the clothesline when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination outdoor table and clothesline, as above, wherein the clothesline can be brought into position for use readily and conveniently by hand; the clothesline when so disposed having relatively long, multiple lines sufficient to hang a considerable amount of laundry.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination outdoor table and clothesline wherein a portion of the table top is adapted to be erected as a mast having a cross arm, and the multiple lines being carried on a drum within the table; such lines, when the mast is erected, running from the drum over the cross arm and thence spanning to a cross bar detachably secured to an anchor element at a remote point.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a combination outdoor table and clothesline which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture; the design being neat and attractive in appearance.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable combination outdoor table and clothesline, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the table with the clothesline in its concealed, out-of-use position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but shows the clothesline in use.

' Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional elevation of the table with the clothesline parts in concealed, out-of-use position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view, but shows the clothesline parts in position of use.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary and sectional elevation showing the holding ratchet assembly for the clothesline drum.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of referenceon the drawings, the novel, combination outdoor table and clothesline comprises a table, indicated generally at l, which is of outdoor or patio type, preferably fabricated of wood and having an'attractive appearance.

The table I includes a rectangular base frame 2 supported, at opposite ends, by axles 3 carrying ground engaging wheels 4.

Legs 5 upstand from the rectangular base frame 2 and support a table top, indicated genorally at B, which top includes sides I and ends 8.

A portion ofthe table top 6 is comprised of a separate T-shaped mast, indicated generally at 9, said mast including a post Ill; the mast nor mally being in a down, flush position to serve as part of the table top, as in Fig. 1.

Adjacent but short of its lower end, i. e. the end opposite the cross arm H, the mast 9 is hinged, as at 12, to a cross member l3 for erec-' tion to a perpendicular position from the aforesaid normally down, flush position.

A guided pull cord 14 is connectedat one end to the lower end of the post l0 and at the-other end to a loaded pull spring 15; the arrangement being such that said pull spring acts on the cord M in a direction tending to erect the mast 9, which erection is normally prevented in the manner which will hereinafter appear. Y

A transverse drum I5 is journaled. in the table in a position directly below the cross arm II when the mast 9 is in its down, flush position, and said drum It includes a shaft H. A hand crank I8 is adapted to releasably fit one end of the shaft l'i outwardly of the corresponding side I of the table top. j

A plurality of lines H! are secured to, "and wound about, the drum IS in spaced-apart relation, and from the drum the lines extend through corresponding guide eyes 20 on the inner side of the adjacent end 8.

From the guide eyes 20 the lines I9 pass through corresponding guide openings 2! of a plate 22 which is secured to and projects outwardly of the cross arm H.

Beyond the plate 22 the lines 6 are secured to a cross bar 23.

When the clothesline is not in use, with the T-mast 9 in its down position, and with the lines l9 wound onto the drum l6 as far as possible, the cross bar 23 abuts the plate 22 and lies alongside the cross arm II in the manner shown-in detail in Fig. 3. In this position the'cross bar 23 underlies a transverse cover or flap 24 hinged, as at 25, for motion to anop'en position from a normally closed position. When the cover 24 is closed it matches with the cross arm II to form a flush part of the table top 6. The transverse cover 24 is normally maintained in its closedposition by a hook and eye 26.- The drum [6 is normally prevented against rotation in a line-unwinding direction by a pawl and ratchet unit which includes a ratchet wheel 21 on the shaft l1, and a pawl 28 cooperating in holding relation with said ratchet wheel; the pawl 28 being releasable by a finger lever 29 ac--- cessible outwardly of one of the sides 1.

When it is desired to use the clothesline, the table is secured against rolling movement by engaging an anchor peg 30 in the ground Thereafter, the cover 24 is opened and the pawl 28 released by finger motion of the lever 29. Upon release of the pawl 28 the pull spring l5 acts to erect the mast 9.

Thereafter, with the pawl 28 remaining released, the cross bar 23 is carried to a remote f point, unwinding the lines l9 from the drum When use of the clothesline is completed thecross bar 23 is detached from the hook 3| and the lines I9 are wound onto the drum it-by' ac 7 tuating the latter through the medium of the hand crank I8.

As the lines wind onto the drum it, cross. bar 2 3will'fabutthe. plate 22, and continued winding pulls the mast 9' to. its down, flush position, whereupon the described pawl and ratchet unit acts to. prevent undesired rising. of the mast. After the parts are returned to the above. position of non-use the transverse cover 24 is closed so that the table then completely conceals the clothcsline arrangement.

. At the end of" the table opposite the drum it there is a bin 32' for clothespins'; such bin normanybeing' closed.- by a transverse cover 33 hinged as at.

. The described outdoor table and clothe'sl'ine provides a very practical and reliable structure for the intended dual purposes; the table, ii eludingvv the clothesline arrangement, being, convenient tou'se and readily adjusted. between its respective positions of use.

From the foregoing description it will be readil'y seen that there has been produced such a structure as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as setlforth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the. structure, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon whichLetters Patent are desired:

1. A combination outdoor table and clothesline, comprising a table includinga top, a portion of. said top being mounted for erection as a mast, adrum mountedin the table, and a clothesline. on the drum adapted to unwind. therefrom, ex-

tend to the mast, and thence span to a remote anchor point.

2.. A combination outdoor table and clothes line, comprising. atable having. a top, a portion of said top being a separate T shaped mast includ ing; a post and a cross arm, means mounting. the mast for erection from a normally, down, flush position, a transverse drummounted in the table 'under the top and adjacent said cross arm, and

a plurality of spaced lines on the drum adapted tounwind therefrom, extend to the cross arm when the mastis erected, and thence span to a remote anchor point.

'3. A combination outdoor table and clothesli'ne,.comprising a table having a top, aportion of said top being a separate T-shaped mast including a post and a cross arm, means mounting the mast for erection from a normally, down, fiush position, a transverse drum mounted in the table under the top and adjacent said cross arm, a; plurality-of spaced lines on the drum, said lines being slidably guided on the cross arm of the mast, and a cross bar to which the lines connect beyond. thecross' arm; the lines, when the clbtheslineis in use and the mast erected, ex tending to the cross-arm from the drum, and

thencespanning. to the cross bar, anchored at a remote point.

4. A combination outdoor table and clothesline, comprising a table having a top, a portion of said top being a separate T-shaped mast including apostand a cross arm, means mounting the mast for erection from a normally down, flush position, spring means connected between the table and mast tending to erect the mast, releasable means normally preventing erection of the mast, a transverse drum mounted in the table under the top and adjacent said cross arm, and a plurality of spaced lines on the drum adapted to unwind therefrom, extend to the cross arm when the mast is erected, and thence span to a remote anchor point.

5. A combination outdoor tableand clothes-- line, comprising a table having atop; a portion of said top being a separate T-shaped mast including a post and a cross arm, means mounting the mast for erection from a normally" down, flush position, spring means connected betweenthe table and mast tending to erect the mast, a transverse drum mounted in the table under the top and adjacent the cross arm, aplural-ityof lines on the drum adapted to unwindtherefrom, guide means on the cross arm throughwhichthe lines slidably extend, a cross bar to which thelines connect beyond the crossarm, the cross barnormally abutting the cross arm but being. adapted to be anchored at a remote point when the mast is erected and the lines unwound and run out for use, a hand crank adapted to ro-- tate thedrum to wind the lines thereon and tocause folding of the mast to saidflush position upon engagement of the cross bar with the cross arm and continued winding of the lines on said drum, and a releasable pawl and ratchet unit cooperating with the drum normally preventing unwinding of the lines therefrom.

6. A combination outdoor table and clothesline comprising a table having a top, aportion of said top being a mast which includes a post and an outer-end cross arm, means mounting the mast for erection from a normally lowered flush position, a drum mounted inthe table under the top adjacent the cross arm, aplurality of lines on the drum adapted to unwind therefrom, aplate projecting from the outer and under side of the cross arm having openings: through which the lines are guided, a cross bar separate from the cross arm on which the lines at their outer end are secured, the cross bar resting on-the plate when the mast is in its lowered position and being thinner than the cross arm, and aflap forming part of the table top, hingedon thetable beyond the cross arm and arranged when swung down to lie flush with and substantially abut against the cross arm and to cover sald cross bar.

ELWOOD s. HANNAMEYEE.

REFERENCES 01mm The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Mehringer Feb. 20, 1951 

